Frame work

ABSTRACT

A framework comprising at least one support column and a bracket engaged therein, the support column having a a tubular core with a substantially rectangular, suitably square, cross-section with a plurality of vertical bridge-pieces projecting therefrom, each of said bridge-pieces carrying rails in parallel alignment with the tube faces, at least some of the bridge-pieces being pierced by vertically aligned slits in which the brackets may be selectively engaged.

United States Patentv [191 Strassle [451 Feb. 18, 1975 I FRAME WORK [76] Inventor: Marcel R. Striissle, Rosenberg, 9533 Kirchberg, Switzerland [22] Filed: Apr. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 351,484

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 14, 1972 Switzerland 5524/72 [52] U.S. Cl. 211/107, 248/243 [51] Int. Cl. A47f 5/08 [58] Field of Search 211/107, 86, 176; 248/243; 108/108, 109, 110; 52/738, 282, 238

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,297,087 9/1942 Vanderveld 248/243 3,080,980 3/1963 Gibbons 248/243 X 3,316,863 5/1967 108/108 3,559,357 2/1971 Lowe 52/282 3,782,048 1/1974 Corman 248/243 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,147,971 6/1957 France 248/243 1,117,567 2/1956 France 108/108 892,110 3/1962 Great Britain 248/243 1,198,887 7/1970 Great Britain 248/243 Primary ExaminerBritts: Ramon S. Attorney, Agent, or FirmLilling & Siegel [57] ABSTRACT A framework comprising at least one support column and a bracket engaged therein, the support column having a a tubular core with a substantially rectangular, suitably square, cross-section with a plurality of vertical bridge-pieces projecting therefrom, each of said bridge-pieces carrying rails-in parallel alignment with the tube faces, at least some of the bridge-pieces being pierced by vertically aligned slits in which the brackets may be selectively engaged.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FRAME WORK The subject of the instant invention relates to a framework comprising at least one supporting column and at least one bracket, destined to be engaged in the former, wherein the support column has a tubular core with a substantially rectangular, suitably square, crosssection. The invention is characterized by the provision on the outer surface of the latter of a plurality of perpendicularly projecting bridge-pieces, each of which is provided with a rail parallel to the tubular core, at least some of the bridge-pieces being provided with multiple slot-like orifices in which brackets may be selectively engaged.

Representative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a fragmentary portion of the support column in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sections of additional modified embodiments of the support column;

FIG. 8 is a side-view of a detail; and

FIG. 9 is a frontal view of the latter.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3, the support column 1 is provided with a square core tube 2 on which flat rails 4, rectangular in section, are supported on perpendicularly projecting bridge-pieces 3. The external surfaces of these rails lie on an imaginary square which is greater than the tube 2, leaving intermediate spaces 5. Slot-like orifices 6 are provided in the bridgepieces 3 at pre-determined intervals in such a manner that a bracket 7 may engage any two neighboring slots in vertical alignment, by means of hooks provided at its end (see FIG. 3). With the brackets 7, which may take forms suiting them to any arbitrary purpose, shelves may be joined, for example. In the four surfaces of the tube 2 slots 9 are provided, their length and altitude is arranged to correspond to the slots 6. The width of the slots 9 is, however, preferably twice the width of the slots 6. This provides the opportunity of engaging two brackets 7 in the slot 9, side by side, each of which is destined to support a shelf. It is understood that the slots 9 may be omitted altogether. There is a further possibility, adapted to certain purposes, to provide slots 6 in only four bridge-pieces 3 in mutually opposing alignment, for example.

A further embodiment of the support column is illustrated in FIG. 4, where a substantially rectangular tube 2', carrying rails 4 by means of bridge-pieces 3, is provided. Again, slots 6, whose purpose has been described in the preceding explanation, are provided in bridge-pieces 3. Furthermore, it is feasible in this embodiment to provide slots 9.

The support column 1, illustrated in FIG. 5, corresponds generally to those according to FIGS. 1 to 3. Diagonally radiating extensions 10 are provided additionally, at the corners of the square tube 2", each of them terminating in a closure wall 11 perpendicular to the diagonal. Slots, not illustrated but preferentially corresponding to slots 6, are provided in the latter; brackets 7 may be engaged in these as desired. Slots 9, already described, may also be provided.

FIG. 6 shows a square support column whose crosssection has been increased over that shown in FIG. 5.

Here also, rails 4, connected to the extensions 10 of the square core tube 2" by means of bridge-pieces 3, are provided. Further, slots 9 may be provided in all suitable wall surfaces, as partially illustrated. At two places slots 12 are also shown in the walls 10. Between each pair of rails 4 in a given plane there is a further rail 13, rigidly attached to the tube 2" by means of two bridgepieces 3'. The bridge-pieces 3 may also be provided with slots 6, as depicted on the left side of FIG. 6. Corner pieces 14, of which an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and also described below, may be engaged in the latter, as shown in dotted outline.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from that in FIG. 6 only by the omission of the intermediate portion, marked with A, of the latter; whereby the crosssection of the support column is reduced to a rectangle. It is to be noted that no slots are shown in the FIGURE.

The corner piece 14, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and utilizable as a bracket, has two legs, 15 and 16, at right angles to one-another, the length of the latter being suited to the application. Cutouts 17 and 18 are provided in the leg 15, one of which, depending on the use, is engaged in the support column. The corner piece 14 may also be provided with two legs 15, as shown in dotted outline, separated from each other by the distance corresponding to the vertical gap between two slots. It is also clear that the corner piece 14 may be engaged in the slots 6 of the bridge-pieces 3, as required.

I claim:

1. A framework having at least one support column and a bracket adapted to be engaged thereto comprising: a tubular support column with a substantially rectangular or square cross-section and a plurality of vertical bridge-elements projecting outwardly therefrom; each of said bridge-elements carrying a flat rail disposed substantially parallel to a wall face of said tubular column; at least some of the bridge-elements having first vertically aligned slot-like orifices; least one wall face of said tubular column having similarly disposed second vertially aligned slot-like orifices; said first and second slot-like orifices of said bridge-elements and said wall face residing in perpendicular planes; whereby said bracket may be engageable with said first and second slot-like orifices, said bracket including hook means adapted to engage either said first or second slot-like orifices with the width of said slot-like orifices being substantially equal to the thickness of said hook means, adjacent rails defining an intermediate space for the passage of said bracket extending outwardly from engagement with a slot-like orifice, said intermediate space having a width substantially equal to the thickness of said bracket, said rails thereby limiting lateral movement of said bracket extending outwardly therebetween.

2. The framework according to claim 1, wherein the width of said second slot-like orifices is twice the width of said first slot-like orifices, thereby enabling a pair of brackets to be simultaneously engageable in a back-toback fashion in a single second slot-like orifice.

3. The framework according to claim 1, wherein the corners of said tubular column are provided with spaced apart diagonally radiating extensions terminating in a closure facing wall, and said closure facing wall having vertically aligned slot-like orifices corresponding to the length and spacing of said first and second slot-like orifices.

3 4 4. The framework according to claim 1, said bracket 5. The framework according to claim 1, wherein said compnsmg 3 angled element havmg at least two tubular support column, said vertical bridge-elements cut-out portions defining said hook means cooperatively associated with adjacent slot-like orifices in said bridge-elements. 5

and said rails all form an integral member. 

1. A framework having at least one support column and a bracket adapted to be engaged thereto comprising: a tubular support column with a substantially rectangular or square cross-section and a plurality of vertical bridge-elements projecting outwardly therefrom; each of said bridge-elements carrying a flat rail disposed substantially parallel to a wall face of said tubular column; at least some of the bridge-elements having first vertically aligned slot-like orifices; least one wall face of said tubular column having similarly disposed second vertially aligned slot-like orifices; said first and second slot-like orifices of said bridge-elements and said wall face residing in perpendicular planes; whereby said bracket may be engageable with said first and second slot-like orifices, said bracket including hook means adapted to engage either said first or second slotlike orifices with the width of said slot-like orifices being substantially equal to the thickness of said hook means, adjacent rails defining an intermediate space for the passage of said bracket extending outwardly from engagement with a slot-like orifice, said intermediate space having a width substantially equal to the thickness of said bracket, said rails thereby limiting lateral movement of said bracket extending outwardly therebetween.
 2. The framework according to claim 1, wherein the width of said second slot-like orifices is twice the width of said first slot-like orifices, thereby enabling a pair of brackets to be simultaneously engageable in a back-to-back fashion in a single second slot-like orifice.
 3. The framework according to claim 1, wherein the corners of said tubular column are provided with spaced apart diagonally radiating extensions terminating in a closure facing wall, and said closure facing wall having vertically aligned slot-like orifices corresponding to the length and spacing of said first and second slot-like orifices.
 4. The framework according to claim 1, said bracket comprising a riGht angled element having at least two cut-out portions defining said hook means co-operatively associated with adjacent slot-like orifices in said bridge-elements.
 5. The framework according to claim 1, wherein said tubular support column, said vertical bridge-elements and said rails all form an integral member. 